Maui venue changed for Dalai Lama

So many people want to hear the Dalai Lama at his scheduled Maui public appearances next month that planners have changed the venue to the War Memorial Stadium in Kahului.

The Tibetan spiritual leader and Nobel Peace Prize winner will speak on "The Human Approach to World Peace" in a free talk at 2 p.m. April 24.

Tickets went back on sale yesterday for a second appearance at 2 p.m. April 25, when he will speak on "Eight Verses for Training the Mind: A Buddhist Philosophical Discourse."

"We heard from people who are coming from Europe and South America. He has a world following," said Barbara Trecker, marketing director of the Maui Arts & Cultural Center.

The lectures were originally scheduled for the arts center, but ticket demand exceeded the 5,000-seat capacity there, she said. "The spirit of the event is to give people as much access as possible." Bringing the event to the Maui County stadium in Kahului will nearly double seating availability, Trecker said.

Tickets, at $20, are available at www.mauiarts.org or the arts center box office at (808) 242-7469. Tickets purchased earlier for the center will be honored at the stadium. People with "will call" ticket reservations are asked to collect them as soon as possible.

The gates will open at 10 a.m. each day, and seating will be on a general admission basis. No chairs, coolers or bags of any kind may be carried into the stadium for the events. No cameras or recording devices will be allowed. Outside food and all liquids will be banned.

Information on the visit is available from the Maui Dharma Center in Paia at (808) 579-8076 and online at www.mauidharmacenter.org.